Ningan and Imogen linger about the lodge aimlessly while Dakota completes the household chores. They offered her their services, but once again she refused. As she dusts and polishes the surfaces, they discuss preparations for nightfall.
"I trust you'll be using your handy daggers to fend off the invaders." Imogen gestures to his belt. "They've served you well."
"You can count on it." Ningan nods. "How about you? I bet you have a few tricks up your sleeves. Magic, perhaps?"
"I know a few defensive spells…" she shrugs as she strokes the spine of her trusty spell-book. "Although, I'm not experienced in combat. I like to consider myself a pacifist. I avoid confrontation at all costs."
Their conversation is interrupted by the bursting open of the door. Lieutenant Seth storms inside and marches purposefully into the lounge.
"Where is she?" he asks the pair directly. "Where's Dakota?"
"Here my love!" she chirps from the kitchen. She skips into the lounge wearing a dusty apron and carrying a feather duster in her hand. Seth strides forward and takes her remaining hand in his. "What is it, Seth? What's going on?"
"Should this be our last night together, I want to make it official." he says in a soft tone neither Ningan nor Imogen had ever witnessed before. "I want to marry you today."
Ningan and Imogen's eyes widen with surprise. Dakota stands almost speechless. "But Seth…what about the ceremony…the preparations, the vows-"
"We can perform the vows right here, right now." he tells her and calls to Ningan and Imogen. "One of you! Fetch the Commander! Immediately!"
Imogen obediently rushes to the Commander's office without question. Ningan watches in amazement as the events unfold.
Commander Jet appears in the doorway looking like she hasn't slept a wink for a week. "This had better be good, Lieutenant!"
"We need you to officiate our vows, Ma'am." he explains. "Our wedding vows, that is."
Jet's expression turns from exhaustion to a sombre smile. "It would be my pleasure, my friends."
The three of them bustle about the lodge getting things ready before the ceremony takes place. Ningan undoes the knot in Dakota's apron and snatches the feather duster, tossing it carelessly aside. Imogen grabs the bouquet of lilies from the vase on the windowsill and thrusts them into the bride's hands. They each take a seat on the sofa as the marriage plays out.
Seth drops to his knees, clutching the hand of his blushing bride-to-be. Commander Jet clears her throat and begins the saying of the vows:
"Do you, Seth, take thee, Dakota, to be your lawfully-wedded wife; to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish...'til death do you part?"
"I do." Seth says clearly as he gazes up into her eyes. Ningan feels a lump form in his throat, but manages to keep it down.
"And do you, Dakota, take thee, Seth, to be your lawfully-wedded husband; to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish…'til death do you part?"
A tear slips gently from the corner of her eye as she smiles. "I do."
"Then before this here congregation, I now pronounce you…man and wife."
From the pocket of his camouflaged trousers, the Lieutenant extracts a perfect silver ring, which he presents to his wife. She extends her finger in his hand as he gently slides the ring over her knuckle. Imogen places her hand to her mouth as Seth rises to his feet.
Commander Jet smiles warmly as she opens her arms. "You may now kiss the bride."
The two embrace for the first time as a newly-wed couple. Their lips lock as the room erupts in a surprisingly rambunctious and emphatic applause.
Ningan wipes a single tear from his eye before it falls. He turns to Imogen with a half-smile of overwhelming joy and intense sadness. "Perhaps there is such thing as true love…"
